A BARRY boy who contracted a rare strain of Covid has sadly died.
Osian Jones passed away on June 19 after a brave 15-month battle against the disease.
Osian contracted a rare strain of Covid (MISC-C) in February 2023 and passed away in June 2024, suffering heart failure.
Now, a tribute is planned for Osian with a supercar/high end sports car procession through Barry, Sully, and Penarth to celebrate Osian’s life.
Osian’s family wish to encourage any supercars, high end sports cars or "modified cars" and motorbikes to register to make the memorial procession amazing and help honour the person Osian was – a link to how to register is at the bottom of this article.
For the memorial day on July 27, the family are encouraging people to congregate at key points along the route to pay their respects (see the route image below).
‘Our brave warrior Osian is now finally out of pain and we wish to pay tribute to his life'
Osian Jones was a happy, strong, and much loved lad from the Vale who attended Stanwell school in Penarth.
In February 2023, at 15 years old, he contracted a rare strain of Covid, which attacked his organs – specifically his heart.
Osian received a new heart in June, 2023, with the help of expert care from Harefield specialist heart and lung hospital, and in November, he returned home.
Osian had a set-back in January 2024, where he returned to Harefield, but was able to return home in February.
The next period was described as Osian enjoying a “great few months where he spent a lot of time with friends and was back to being the cheeky, fun-loving Osian that everyone loved so dearly.”
However, in June, Osian fell ill and was admitted to UHW where, tragically, he suffered heart failure and passed away.
‘Osian managed to charm everyone at the hospital and the nurses loved him’
His popularity was visible when hundreds of people turned out for fundraising walks held for Osian in 2023, and Stanwell School held a fundraiser to support a heart charity.
While we covered one of the walks, Osian’s grandmother Gaynor told us how Osian managed to charm everyone at the hospital, and the nurses loved him.
One of the fundraising walks was held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 where hundreds showed up at Alexandra Park in Penarth before walking round the town down to the Marina, up Cogan Hill then through Penarth town centre.
To register for the supercar procession, click the link here and select "going" if you are attending.
To find out more about supporting fundraising efforts for Osian go to the Facebook page, clicking here.
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